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NHS Ironmen grid program sets higher aim

A year ago, the Nowata High School Ironmen football team set out to make a statement.

And, brother, did it.

It’s achievements — snapping back from a 0-10 record in 2011, to a 9-3 mark in 2012 — ripped the state’s Class 2A grid landscape like an exploding thunder during a placid night.

Losing in the regular season to the Dewey Bulldoggers, 9-6, and to the state quarterfinalist Adair Warriors, 28-21 — and falling to the Stroud Tigers, 21-6, in the second round of the playoffs — last year’s Ironmen reinvigorated the proud tradition of their program.

As they go into spring practice this year, the Ironmen want to make another statement.

They can do it again — and perhaps, even more.

“It’s going pretty well,” said second-year head coach Matt Hagebusch, who presided during last year’s amazing turnaround, about the May workouts. “We’ve got a lot of guys out there and they’re trying to get better every day. We’re trying to see who’s going to step up and emerge as our leaders.”

Nowata football is blessed with a bountiful crop of returning veterans, including starting quarterback Wyatt Steigerwald and prolific runningbacks Nate Moore and Corey Hobbs.

Moore also hauled in 358 yards of receptions to push him to 1,129 total offensive yards on the season.

Steigerwald completed 100 passes for 1,313 yards and 11 touchdowns, while just throwing five picks.

Two other key returnees are Skylar Woods, who was named the district Defensive Lineman of the Year, and fellow lineman T.J. Wilson.

There has been “a parade of schools” trying to recruit these two pit warriors, Hagebusch noted.

As far as the vacancies, Nowata needs to fill two offensive line spots and replace a tight end; the defense is breaking in a couple of linebackers.

“We feel pretty confident about each guy in each spot,” Hagebusch said.

Overall, the focus this year is much different than 12 months ago, when Hagebusch inherited a team that was coming off a 0-10 season in 2011, and looking to stabilize the coaching staff.

“The biggest difference this year is I’m there every day,” said Hagebusch, who was at Vinita High School when he accepted the Nowata position. “I was having to be in two places at once last year. This year it’s just a lot easier being there at school and going right from spring sports into spring football. We’ve also got a year under our belt as a coaching staff. They know what to expect. The feeling-out process (between coaches and players) is over with.”

The other major differences this year are higher expectations and visibility.

“It’s a different focus than what they had a year ago,” said Hagebusch. “It’s a polar opposite of what motivated the kids last year. Now, they’re going to have to prepare to play with a target on their back.”

The Ironmen also are looking forward to a major renovation to their football field.

Right now, “the grass is ugly,” said Hagebusch, while it is left to die in preparation for the resurfacing. “The dirt guy won’t be there until we finish up with spring football. … We’ll have new fencing around the field. Our new gym also should be completed by the end of July. A lot of things are going in Nowata. It’s an exciting time to be an Ironmen.”

Nowata players also are anxious to work hard in the offseason and to get ready for the season opener against traditional rival Dewey, Hagebusch added.